Veteran slugger Teoscar Hernández has agreed to a three-year pact worth $66 million to reunite with the Los Angeles Dodgers , ESPN's Jeff Passan . Passan adds that an option for a fourth year (valued at $15 million), as well as a $23 million signing bonus and $23 million in deferrals. Hernández also spent the 2024 season with the Dodgers. In 154 games for L.A., Hernández slashed .272/.339/.501 (137 OPS+) with 33 home runs and 32 doubles. For his efforts, he earned an All-Star selection for the second time in his career. Hernández's 4.3 WAR for the season was a career-best mark, and he won the Silver Slugger for the third time in his career. Hernández will join an outfield depth chart that includes fellow free-agent signing Michael Conforto , as well as Tommy Edman , Andy Pages , James Outman , and Chris Taylor , among others. Coming into the offseason, CBS Sports ranked Hernández, who's now 32 years of age, as the No. 17 free agent of the 2024-25 class . Here's part of our write-up: Modern front offices talk a big game about paying only for the future, not the past. That preference creates some weird situations. Take Hernández. He just had a good season, his fourth in five tries, yet it's unclear what will matter more to teams: that he provided more evidence that he's an above-average bat, or that he's a year older than he was last winter, his first foray into free agency. You can hope for the former, but we suspect some teams will dock him for the latter. Ever the same, Hernández's ability to impact the baseball helps atone for his strikeout tendencies and his defensive deficiencies. For his career, Hernández has an OPS+ of 121 and a WAR of 17.1 across parts of nine major-league seasons. He'll enter the 2025 campaign with 192 home runs to his credit.
A 7-year-old dispute between tech leaders Elon Musk and Sam Altman over who should run OpenAI and prevent an artificial intelligence "dictatorship" is now heading to a federal judge as Musk seeks to halt the ChatGPT maker's ongoing shift into a for-profit company. Musk, an early OpenAI investor and board member, sued the artificial intelligence company earlier this year alleging it had betrayed its founding aims as a nonprofit research lab benefiting the public good rather than pursuing profits. Musk has since escalated the dispute, adding new claims and asking for a court order that would stop OpenAI’s plans to convert itself into a for-profit business more fully. The world's richest man, whose companies include Tesla, SpaceX and social media platform X, last year started his own rival AI company, xAI. Musk says it faces unfair competition from OpenAI and its close business partner Microsoft, which has supplied the huge computing resources needed to build AI systems such as ChatGPT. “OpenAI and Microsoft together exploiting Musk’s donations so they can build a for-profit monopoly, one now specifically targeting xAI, is just too much,” says Musk's filing that alleges the companies are violating the terms of Musk’s foundational contributions to the charity. OpenAI is filing a response Friday opposing Musk’s requested order, saying it would cripple OpenAI’s business and mission to the advantage of Musk and his own AI company. A hearing is set for January before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland. At the heart of the dispute is a 2017 internal power struggle at the fledgling startup that led to Altman becoming OpenAI's CEO. Musk also wanted the job, according to emails revealed as part of the court case, but grew frustrated after two other OpenAI co-founders said he would hold too much power as a major shareholder and chief executive if the startup succeeded in its goal to achieve better-than-human AI known as artificial general intelligence , or AGI. Musk has long voiced concerns about how advanced forms of AI could threaten humanity. “The current structure provides you with a path where you end up with unilateral absolute control over the AGI," said a 2017 email to Musk from co-founders Ilya Sutskever and Greg Brockman. “You stated that you don't want to control the final AGI, but during this negotiation, you've shown to us that absolute control is extremely important to you.” In the same email, titled “Honest Thoughts,” Sutskever and Brockman also voiced concerns about Altman's desire to be CEO and whether he was motivated by “political goals.” Altman eventually succeeded in becoming CEO, and has remained so except for a period last year when he was fired and then reinstated days later after the board that ousted him was replaced. OpenAI published the messages Friday in a blog post meant to show its side of the story, particularly Musk's early support for the idea of making OpenAI a for-profit business so it could raise money for the hardware and computer power that AI needs. It was Musk, through his wealth manager Jared Birchall, who first registered “Open Artificial Technologies Technologies, Inc.”, a public benefit corporation, in September 2017. Then came the “Honest Thoughts” email that Musk described as the “final straw.” “Either go do something on your own or continue with OpenAI as a nonprofit,” Musk wrote back. Musk didn't immediately respond to emailed requests for comment sent to his companies Friday. Asked about his frayed relationship with Musk at a New York Times conference last week, Altman said he felt “tremendously sad” but also characterized Musk’s legal fight as one about business competition. “He’s a competitor and we’re doing well,” Altman said. He also said at the conference that he is “not that worried” about the Tesla CEO’s influence with President-elect Donald Trump. OpenAI said Friday that Altman plans to make a $1 million personal donation to Trump’s inauguration fund, joining a number of tech companies and executives who are working to improve their relationships with the incoming administration. —————————— The Associated Press and OpenAI have a licensing and technology agreement allowing OpenAI access to part of the AP’s text archives.Sportscaster Greg Gumbel dies from cancer at age 78President-elect Donald Trump is asking the Supreme Court to let him negotiate a deal to save TikTok from an imminent US ban. In an filed to the court, Trump says he “seeks the ability to resolve the issues at hand through political means once he takes office,” and that he “alone possesses the consummate dealmaking expertise, the electoral mandate, and the political will to negotiate a resolution to save the platform.” Last week, the Supreme Court that a bill passed by Congress banning TikTok on national security grounds violates the First Amendment. The bill gives wide latitude to the president to delay its enforcement if there’s progress being made towards a deal ensuring TikTok isn’t fully controlled by its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. But the deadline for that determination is January 19th — one day before Trump is set to assume the presidency. In his Supreme Court filing, Trump asks for the bill’s January 19th deadline to be stayed, arguing that the deal he’d negotiate “would obviate the need for this Court to decide the historically challenging First Amendment question presented here on the current, highly expedited basis.” He argues that having over 14 million followers on TikTok, along with his ownership of Truth Social, gives him unique ability to “evaluate TikTok’s importance as a unique medium for freedom of expression, including core political speech.” He also cites Brazil’s temporary ban of Elon Musk’s X as an example of “the historic dangers presented” by banning TikTok. While Trump pushed for a TikTok ban during his first term, he changed his tune after his campaign successfully used the platform during the 2024 election. He recently at Mar-a-Lago and that “maybe we gotta keep this sucker around for a little while.”
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Vikings head into border battle vs. Packers arguably as the healthiest team in the NFLTerry Bradshaw's feelings 'hurt' by Michael Strahan just seconds into FOX NFL SundayTurkey's foreign minister discussed with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday the need to act in cooperation with the new Syrian administration to ensure the completion of the transition period in an orderly manner, the ministry said. In a phone call, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told Blinken that Ankara would not allow Kurdish YPG militia to take shelter in Syria, the ministry spokesperson said. During the call, Blinken emphasized the need to support a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process that "upholds human rights and prioritizes an inclusive and representative government," according to a statement from the U.S. State Department. Blinken and Fidan also discussed preventing terrorism from endangering the security of Turkey and Syria, the statement said.
BENSALEM, Pa., Dec. 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Law Offices of Howard G. Smith reminds investors that class action lawsuits have been filed on behalf of shareholders of the following publicly-traded companies. Investors have until the deadlines listed below to file a lead plaintiff motion. Investors suffering losses on their investments are encouraged to contact the Law Offices of Howard G. Smith to discuss their legal rights in these class actions at (215) 638-4847 or by email to howardsmith@howardsmithlaw.com . PACS Group, Inc. PACS Class Period: April 11, 2024 – November 5, 2024 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: January 13, 2025 The complaint alleges that in the Registration Statement and throughout the Class Period the defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose: (1) that the Company engaged in a "scheme" to submit false Medicare claims which "drove more than 100% of PACS' operating and net income from 2020 – 2023"; (2) that the Company engaged in a "scheme" to "bill thousands of unnecessary respiratory and sensory integration therapies to Medicare"; (3) that the Company engaged in a scheme to falsify documentation related to licensure and staffing; and (4) that, as a result of the foregoing, Defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. Hasbro, Inc. HAS Class Period: February 7, 2022 – October 25, 2023 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: January 13, 2025 The complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period the defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) the Company had a significant buildup of inventory that it was struggling to manage and which far exceeded customer demand; and (2) as a result, Defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. ASML Holding N.V. ASML Class Period: January 24, 2024 – October 15, 2024 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: January 13, 2025 The complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period the defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) the issues being faced by suppliers, like ASML, in the semiconductor industry were much more severe than Defendants had indicated to investors; (2) the pace of recovery of sales in the semiconductor industry was much slower than Defendants had publicly acknowledged; (3) Defendants had created the false impression that they possessed reliable information pertaining to customer demand and anticipated growth, while also downplaying risk from macroeconomic and industry fluctuations, as well as stronger regulations restricting the export of semiconductor technology, including the products that ASML sells; and (4) as a result, Defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. Humacyte, Inc. HUMA Class Period: May 10, 2024 – October 17, 2024 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: January 17, 2025 The complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period the defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose: (1) that the Company's Durham, North Carolina facility failed to comply with good manufacturing practices, including quality assurance and microbial testing; (2) that the FDA's review of the BLA would be delayed while Humacyte remediated these deficiencies; and (3) that, as a result, there was a substantial risk to FDA approval of ATEV for vascular trauma; and (4) that, as a result of the foregoing, Defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. To be a member of these class actions, you need not take any action at this time; you may retain counsel of your choice or take no action and remain an absent member of the class action. If you wish to learn more about these class actions, or if you have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact Howard G. Smith, Esquire, of Law Offices of Howard G. Smith, 3070 Bristol Pike, Suite 112, Bensalem, Pennsylvania 19020, by telephone at (215) 638-4847 or by email to howardsmith@howardsmithlaw.com , or visit our website at www.howardsmithlaw.com . This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. Contacts Law Offices of Howard G. Smith Howard G. Smith, Esquire 215-638-4847 888-638-4847 howardsmith@howardsmithlaw.com www.howardsmithlaw.com © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Relaxed modeSan Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan announced that the team has ruled out quarterback Brock Purdy for Sunday's playoff rematch against the Green Bay Packers. Purdy has been managing a shoulder injury sustained during this past Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks, significantly limiting his participation in practice throughout the week. Earlier in the week, there was optimism that Purdy would be ready for the Week 12 matchup after he reported shoulder soreness to the team on Monday. However, concerns grew as the week progressed, with Purdy struggling to take the field alongside his teammates during practice sessions. With Purdy out, veteran quarterback Brandon Allen will step in for his first start with the 49ers and his first since 2021. He has been with the team for the last two seasons. Purdy has started all 10 games this season, amassing 2,613 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. His absence will be a significant setback for a 49ers team striving to turn their season around and get back in the NFC West race. Defensive end Nick Bosa (hip/oblique) and cornerback Charvarius Ward have also been ruled out. This article first appeared on 49ers Webzone and was syndicated with permission.
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On the instructions of the Chief Minister of Punjab, emission control systems have been installed in 96 percent of Lahore’s industries for the first time in history, while 21 industrial units that did not comply with environmental laws were sealed by the EPA. Lahore, once renowned as the “City of Gardens” for its lush greenery and vibrant landscapes, is now grappling with a severe smog crisis that has transformed its skies into a grey with a suffocating blanket. In recent years, air pollution in Lahore reached alarming levels, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) frequently surpassing hazardous limits, sometimes exceeding 300-400 AQI, far above the safe threshold of Punjab Environmental Quality Standards and those set by World Health Organization (WHO). According to the 2023 census, Lahore’s population has surged to over 13 million, growing at an annual rate of 3.41 percent, further straining the city’s infrastructure and increasing vehicular and industrial emissions. Noted environmentalist Dr. Mahmood Khalid Qamar told APP that air pollutants directly hinder plant growth, while reducing photosynthesis and degrading tree health, diminishing their ability to filter pollutants. Wildlife, especially birds, experience respiratory disorders and their habitat loss, and similarly soil quality declines, further disrupting ecosystems. Obviously this is evident from the situation produced due to recent severe smog that affected animals at Lahore Zoo, Qamar said, adding that it caused respiratory and eye problems, particularly in those in open enclosures. It is worth mentioning that to mitigate this situation, the zoo provided immune-boosting supplements for almost all animal and birds, employing water spraying and shaded shelters. According to a survey by the Urban Unit, in Lahore, the number of industries with air cleaning systems was 43 percent in April 2024, while due to the efforts of the EPA, the number of industries with air cleaning systems has increased to 96 percent in December 2024. The Environmental Protection Department has established 25 AQI monitoring stations in different cities, while work is underway on 35 stations. Meanwhile, Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb said in a statement that Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s zero tolerance policy is being implemented to eliminate pollution. It may be mentioned here that in order to combat hazardous smog and air pollution across Punjab, home of more than 100 million people, the Punjab government used Chinese anti-smog technology by installing smog towers in Lahore and other parts of the province. In an effort to tackle severe air pollution, the Punjab government has also launched recently a smog clean tower in Lahore. The smog tower aims to reduce hazardous smog levels that have paralysed the city, particularly in the past two months, affecting nearly two million residents. The provincial capital has been struggling with toxic air due to heavy vehicle emissions, industrial activity, and crop burning, leading to widespread health issues.
Eric Watkins of Abstrakt Highlights the Challenges of Building Internal SDR TeamsSports on TV for Monday, Nov. 25MONTREAL - More than a dozen groups have refused to vacate a community centre in Montreal's Ahuntsic neighbourhood despite an eviction order from their landlord, Quebec's largest school service centre. Read this article for free: Already have an account? As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed. Now, more than ever, we need your support. Starting at $14.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website. or call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527. Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community! MONTREAL - More than a dozen groups have refused to vacate a community centre in Montreal's Ahuntsic neighbourhood despite an eviction order from their landlord, Quebec's largest school service centre. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? MONTREAL – More than a dozen groups have refused to vacate a community centre in Montreal’s Ahuntsic neighbourhood despite an eviction order from their landlord, Quebec’s largest school service centre. The community groups were supposed to clear out by 5 p.m. Friday, but there were no moving trucks in sight. Rémy Robitaille, director of Solidarité Ahuntsic, which represents the 13 groups in the building, said they haven’t budged because they simply don’t have anywhere else to go. Robitaille said the organizations provide vital services for immigrants, refugees and seniors, as well as food bank services and French language classes for newcomers — a total of 25,000 people each year. It will take an emergency eviction order from a judge to expel the 13 groups, which he said they would contest in court. “Who will give those services?” he said Friday. “We expect a reaction from the government.” The Centre de services scolaire de Montréal, which owns the building, said it has rented out the space to organizations serving the community but now needs the building to provide urgently needed French language courses for newcomers. It added that it needs to relocate French language services offered at William-Hingston Centre in Parc-Extension, another neighbourhood farther east, because of renovations to that building. “In order to fulfil our primary mission of providing schooling, and to avoid a disruption in services in the absence of another real estate solution to accommodate all our students, we must regain full possession of the building,” the CSSDM said in a statement. It also accused Solidarité Ahuntsic of refusing to sign a lease since 2018. Robitaille responded by saying the CSSDM raised the monthly rent for the whole building from about $8,000 to $24,000 — an increase the community groups have refused to pay. Ahuntsic-Cartierville borough Mayor Émilie Thuillier said she has tried to help them find another location over the past year, with no luck. Thuillier, Ahuntsic-Cartierville MP Mélanie Joly and other elected officials have called on the Quebec government to allow the 13 organizations to stay in the building for five more years. “The services they offer to the residents of the riding are essential to ensuring the social safety net of the sector. In a context of inflation, food insecurity and housing crisis, many citizens resort to the assistance offered by these resources,” Joly said in a press release in May. “What we’re saying to the government is that we want five years more so that the 13 organizations can stay in the building while we are constructing another one,” Thuillier said, explaining that the borough has already identified a new location suitable for a community centre nearby but it will not be ready to house the organizations for a few years. In the meantime, the mayor is asking the provincial government to give the CSSDM more funding so that it can rent spaces elsewhere for its French courses. Thuillier added that French language classes are currently offered in the building but that its state of disrepair means there will be a three-to four-year wait for those courses if the school service centre does take over. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 28, 2024. Advertisement AdvertisementScience fiction is easily one of the most popular and prolific genres in movies today. But while there are countless major hit sci-fi movies, there's many if not even more cult sci-fi classics still waiting to be discovered. Sci-fi cinema began almost as soon as movies themselves began, with Georges Méliès' A Trip to the Moon – widely considered the first sci-fi movie – released in 1902. Méliès was only the first of more than a century of filmmakers using science fiction to contemplate humanity's future – the dreams, the nightmares, the endless possibilities. While there's a ton of undisputed classics in the genre, there're many more underrated and undiscovered gems that still deserve their proper due. For those worn out on Terminator and Avatar, for those who've had their fill of Star Wars and Star Treks to last a lifetime yet still crave the speculative tech and outlandish tales of extraterrestrial existence – congratulations, you've come to the right place. This is your new favorite go-to list of under-the-radar science fiction flicks. Here are 32 underrated sci-fi movies. 32. I'm Your Man (2021) Can love be created? Even programmed? That's the question powering Emma Braslavsky's acclaimed science fiction romance I'm Your Man, released in 2021. Dan Stevens (The Guest, FX's Legion) stars as Tom, an android who is designed to be the perfect partner exclusively for lonely scientist Alma (Maren Eggert). As part of a research project, Alma is forced to live with Tom and document their relationship. While Alma is resistant at first, emotions slowly become real. Sparks really fly in this alluring German-language production, a movie that supposes love can be found when you least expect it. 31. The Super Inframan (1975) The genre of transforming superheroes like Ultraman, Kamen Rider, and Power Rangers began in Japan. But in 1975, prolific Hong Kong studio Shaw Brothers took a stab at their own metamorphing hero with The Super Inframan, from director Hua Shan. Danny Lee stars as the red-clad lightning avenger, Inframan, who saves the Earth from alien invaders using his new superpowers and mastery of kung fu. While Chinese action movies are typically either lavish Wuxia historical epics or bombastic "heroic bloodshed" dramas, The Super Inframan stands out as a cross-cultural hybrid of many influences. It's a movie still deserving of the franchise treatment, even now. Fun fact: Ant-Man director Peyton Reed confirmed in a 2018 Q&A on Twitter/X that the MCU's Ant-Man was visually inspired by The Super Inframan. 30. I.S.S. (2023) In this overlooked pressure cooker thriller, Russian and American astronauts aboard the International Space Station grow suspicious of one another when a ground war between the superpowers begins back on Earth. Thanks to a small but capable cast, including Ariana DeBose, Chris Messina, and John Gallagher Jr., I.S.S. powers through its shortcomings to be a suspenseful story about trust, and if hatred really is as simple as picking sides. Also, for a tiny budget of less than $14 million, I.S.S. has some pretty spectacular production value with gorgeous overviews of Earth. 29. The Pod Generation (2023) Writer/director Sophie Barthes satirizes our very possible future in her sci-fi rom-com The Pod Generation. Emilia Clarke (of Game of Thrones fame) and Chiwitel Ejiofor co-star as a married couple living in a near future New York City. In trying to start a family, Clarke's character Rachel is eager to give birth via mobile artificial wombs, while Alvy (Ejiofor) is hoping for more traditional methods. The Pod Generation is terrifically funny, with quietly dark underpinnings of our imminent submission to artificial intelligence and technology. Because when we even depend on the machines to give birth, at what point are we still human? The Pod Generation lightly ponders this question with delightful humor. 28. Radius (2017) This low budget Canadian sci-fi thriller features abundant touches of apocalyptic and disease horror, resulting in a compelling but understated gem. In Radius, Diego Klattenhoff and Charlotte Sullivan play amnesiac survivors of a car accident who slowly realize they each have a strange physical effect. Klattenhoff's Liam seems capable of passively killing everyone around him, while the woman, Jane Doe (Sullivan) can cancel out that effect. Complete with a striking twist ending, Radius is not one to keep away from. 27. After Yang (2021) After drawing acclaim for his deeply human drama Columbus in 2017, writer/director Koganda lent his sensibilities to the realm of sci-fi with his equally adored movie After Yang. Colin Farrell and Jodie-Turner Smith play members of a family living in the future as they attempt to repair Yang, their "adopted" android son who was purchased on the second-hand market. In doing so, they discover Yang's secret desires to be human. Replete with themes of grief, loss, memory, and impermanence, Koganda's affecting After Yang brings remarkable warmth to a genre too often concerned with the steely exteriors of a cynical future. 26. Oblivion (2013) In 2022, Tom Cruise and Joseph Kosinski teamed up for the billion-dollar smash Top Gun: Maverick, a legacy sequel that tore up the skies. But their collaboration started almost a decade earlier with the nearly forgotten sci-fi actioner Oblivion. Set in the future, after Earth is devastated following a nuclear war between humans and aliens, a repairman (Cruise) and his communications officer (Andrea Riseborough) find they are not the only ones left on the planet. This slowly begins a journey into realizing exactly what happened that destroyed the planet. Oblivion drew only mixed reviews from critics but did well enough at the box office. While it's far from Cruise's best movie, it might surprise anyone curious enough to see it for themselves. 25. Fingernails (2023) If science fiction movies too often conjure images of stark white suits and impossible technologies, let Chirstos Nikou's emotionally charged Fingernails – released on Apple TV+ in 2023 – help you alter your assumptions. In this delicate drama, a young woman named Anna (Jessice Buckley) begins working at The Love Institute, a start-up company that practices a popular new test that unquestionably proves if your partner is your soulmate. Though Anna and her partner Ryan (Jeremy Allen White) already enjoy a positive result, Anna's work at The Love Institute puts her in close proximity with Amir (Riz Ahmed), which has Anna questioning everything. While Fingernails is indeed sci-fi, its grounded, even analog setting affords it relatable authenticity. 24. Sputnik (2020) While its plot summary reads like a Russian-language remake of Ridley Scott's Alien, Sputnik succeeds through the strength of its solid direction by Egor Abramenko, its lead actress Oksana Akinshina, and an emotional last-minute twist ending. Set in the waning years of the Cold War, Sputnik follows a doctor (Akinshina) who is brought on to assess the only living cosmonaut to survive an accident in space who brings back an alien organism in his body. Besides Andrei Tarkovsky's 1972 Soviet classic Solaris, there are few worthwhile Russian sci-fi films of note. But Sputnik makes a case for itself, revealing there is still plenty of territory to explore in the worn-out sci-fi/horror genre. 23. Making Mr. Right (1987) It's as scientifically sophisticated as an Atari video game, but Making Mr. Right has its gears in the right places. In this retro sci-fi rom-com from Susan Seidelman, lively bachelorette Frankie (Ann Magnuson) is hired by an eccentric scientist (John Malkovich) to interact with an advanced android replica of himself before it's shipped off for a deep space mission. The goal is to make the android come off as human – or at least, human enough – to appease sponsors and politicians. But of course, sparks unexpectedly start to fly. Feeling like a mixture of other '80s classics like Weird Science and The Mannequin, Making Mr. Right offers its own charms thanks to a very playful Malkovich. 22. No One Will Save You (2023) A minimalist sci-fi horror about surviving challenges in isolation, No One Will Save You follows a lonely young woman (Kaitlyn Dever) – who is strangely shunned by her neighbors – whose home is invaded one night by aliens and mind-controlling parasites. Proving that actions speak louder than words, No One Will Save You balances out its few lines of dialogue with propulsive, breathless action. While it sounds like War of the Worlds meets The Strangers on paper, No One Will Save You is assuredly singular through its work by writer/director Brian Duffeld. 21. Dreamscape (1984) An overlooked sci-fi action-horror from the 1980s, Dreamscape plunges into the world of dreams to eventually rescue the U.S. President. Far predating movies like Inception and Olympus Has Fallen, Dreamscape stars Dennis Quaid as a psychic recruited to participate in an experimental study by his former mentor (played by Max von Sydow). The study: Breaking the laws of physics to enter someone's dreams. While Dreamscape gets lost in its own sauce and struggles to figure out what movie it really wants to be, it's a good '80s romp that will satisfy genre aficionados and '80s obsessives who've already seen The Terminator and Back to the Future too many times to count. 20. Vesper (2022) A science fiction movie centered around ecology and biohacking, Vesper stars Raffiella Chapman as a young teenaged girl who lives in a ravaged future Earth where most of humanity struggles just to eat. Chapman, as the titular heroine Vesper, figures a way to access the bacteria in the seeds to make them fertile once more, which is key to mankind's survival. But she must first survive the ruthlessness of her uncle (Eddie Marsan) and the comfortable oligarchy who subjugate everyone else. Vesper is understated and often gorgeous, being about perseverance and brilliance meant for the good of all. 19. Save Yourselves! (2020) Co-written and co-directed by Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson, Save Yourselves! stars John Reynolds and Sunita Mani as Brooklynites who commit to actually unplugging from their oblivion machines – their phones – and enjoy the outdoors. During a stay at a remote AirBnB with no cellular service, the outside world is suddenly overtaken by aliens. Alien invasions collide with millennial malaise in this affable comedy, with its modernized take on genre classics like The Day the Earth Stood Still and War of the Worlds, plus a nod to Star Trek's Tribbles for good measure. Save Yourselves! proves there's virtue in getting away from it all. 18. Altered States (1980) A psychedelic sci-fi thriller that descends into mania, Altered States stars William Hurt as an academic psychopathologist conducting research in sensory deprivation and hallucinogenic substances. During the course of the long study, Hurt's character becomes a family man (with Blair Brown as his wife and later ex-wife), only to become dangerously obsessive about it when he unlocks a frightening breakthrough. Directed by Ken Russell and adapted from screenwriter Paddy Chayefsky's own 1978 novel, Altered States is mind-melting goodness and deserves to be better recognized alongside the greats of the genre. 17. Event Horizon (1997) Set in the year 2047, Event Horizon follows a group of astronauts on a rescue mission to investigate a once-missing spaceship that has just returned near Neptune. A moody sci-fi horror in the spirit of Alien, the movie floats thanks in part to its strong ensemble cast, including Laurence Fishburne, Sam Neil, Jason Isaacs, Joely Richaradson, Kathleen Quinlan, and Sean Pertwee. While Event Horizon has cultivated its reputation as a cult classic over a long period of time, it's still got some ways to go before it officially enters orbit as a legitimate genre masterpiece instead of the overlooked gem it remains. 16. Archive (2020) In this impressive sci-fi thriller by writer/director Gavin Rothery, Theo James plays Jules, a scientist on a time-sensitive mission to develop the most advanced artificial intelligence. Secretly, however, Jules is working to create a way to bring back his deceased wife (Stacy Martin). Its slated premiere at SXSW in 2020 was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which made its release on VOD and streaming a quiet affair, but Archive was sort of the perfect movie for quarantine given its focus on obsession in isolation. Without that unintended context, however, Archive is a strong sci-fi movie on its own with very handsome production design. 15. Prospect (2018) Just before he donned the armored suit of The Mandalorian, Pedro Pascal co-starred in the sleeper hit indie sci-fi Prospect. The movie primarily follows Cee (played by Sophie Thatcher), a teenage girl who travels to space with her father (Jay Duplass) to mine a forest moon for precious stones only to encounter treachery along the way. Pascal appears as Ezra, a rival prospector whose role as the antagonist is aided by his snake-like vibe. While there's impressive effects and compelling worldbuilding in Prospect, the movie succeeds on the strengths of its characters and how it gets by on its modest limitations as a micro-budget sci-fi. 14. Redline (2009) I don't care how much anime you might have seen: Redline is truly unlike anything you've experienced before. A cross between Mad Max and Speed Racer, this psychedelic sci-fi anime that runs purely on vibes takes place in the future, where the biggest spectacle is the ultra-deadly planetary racing tournament Redline. Pompadoured superstar JP (voiced by Takuya Kimura) is one of the most popular racers in Redline and grows determined to win it all after a huge setback from a mafia boss. Marking the directorial debut of animator Takeshi Koike, Redline is one of the gnarliest gems in the Madhouse library, sharing lineage with other anime classics like Wicked City, Ninja Scroll, Perfect Blue, and Tokyo Godfathers. 13. Possessor (2020) While it initially seemed Brandon Cronenberg was intent to follow his father's David Cronenberg's footsteps, it soon became apparent that the younger Cronenberg is his own singular artist in Possessor. In Brandon Cronenberg's striking sci-fi horror movie, an assassin (Andrea Riseborough) carries out her assignments by scientifically possessing the bodies of other people. But her latest job has her fighting from within when her new body's host fights back. Provocative, alluring, and thick with grime, Possessor paralyzes the senses to leave you in shock – and awe. 12. Underwater (2020) Kristen Stewart fights for air in this maddeningly overlooked sci-fi monster flick that was unceremoniously dumped in theaters in early 2020. In Underwater, a group of scientists – played by Stewart, Vincent Cassel, Jessica Henwick, John Gallagher Jr., TJ Miller, and more – find their lives endangered when their deep sea research facility gets damaged due to unexpectedly violent underwater earthquakes. Minor spoilers: It's not a natural phenomenon that's causing the earthquakes. Fans of H.P. Lovecraft's mythos better dive in for Underwater, a better-than-you-expect piece of science fiction and horror from director William Eubank. 11. The Island (2005) Just before taking on the mega-hit Transformers series, Michael Bay let loose this summer crowd-pleaser that offers up Bay's own excessive spin on dystopian science fiction. Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson co-star as residents of an underground community who believe Earth has fallen due to environmental apocalypse; they live highly organized and routine lives, with the promise of maybe winning the lottery to go to a lush tropical island forever. But not all is what it seems. While genre fans will find nods to everything from Logan's Run to THX 1138 to even Soylent Green, The Island is solid dumb fun that benefits from Bay's usual bombast. 10. Come True (2020) Inspired by his own bouts of sleep paralysis, writer/director Anthony Scott Burns explores the darkness of sleep in his 2020 sci-fi horror Come True. The movie follows a teenage runaway, Sarah (Julia Sarah Stone) who joins a university's sleep study just to have some food and a safe place to crash. But Sarah's refuge suddenly becomes a literal nightmare as the tests leave Sarah vulnerable to recurring encounters with an evil presence. A 2020s feature that oozes 1980s horror vibes, Come True is powerful enough to leave you tossing and turning at night. 9. LFO (2013) A sci-fi thriller that is at times outrageously funny, this Swedish-language indie hails from director Antonio Tublén and explores how the need for control can lead to losing it entirely. LFO follows an ordinary if pathetic man, Robert (Patrik Karlson) who suspects his wife is cheating on him. One day, Robert stumbles upon a radio frequency that allows him to hypnotize and control anyone who hears it. His experiments with the frequency dangerously escalate into Robert controlling everyone around him, which is fun at first but naturally includes horrific (but hilarious) consequences. Unusual but quirky, LFO goes up to 11 – and then breaks the dial. 8. Gatchaman (2013) Before Power Rangers, there was Gatchaman. A live-action modern reboot of the classic anime Science Ninja Team Gatchaman – better known in the United States as Battle of the Planets, and later G-Force – Gatchaman essentially tells the origin story of the winged superheroes, formed by the International Science Organization. While the movie doesn't live up to the majesty of the classic anime, which was laced with themes of conversation and ethical use of technology, it's still a kick-butt science fiction superhero movie that is underrated and overlooked even by hardcore tokusatsu faithful. Step aside, Avengers – let these forerunner heroes take flight. 7. Upgrade (2018) Leigh Whannell's sci-fi thriller Upgrade is about a man who yields to a dangerous alter ego – with very, very deadly results. Upgrade stars Logan Marshall-Green as Grey, a mechanic who becomes paralyzed after a group of men shoot him and kill his wife (Melanie Vallejo). Implanted with a cutting-edge computer chip, Grey is able to walk again. But the chip's scary A.I. has its own motivations, and offers Grey the opportunity to get his sweet revenge in exchange for letting the A.I. use his body. Deliriously and deliciously violent, Upgrade is like a cross between John Wick, Venom, and Ex Machina, but Whannell's sharp direction makes it its own thing. 6. Synchronic (2019) Synchronic, which has a totally unique take on time travel, also has Anthony Mackie in maybe his single-best performance of his career. Mackie co-stars with Jamie Dornan, playing two best friends and paramedics in New Orleans who encounter a new designer drug on the streets, called Synchronic. While Synchronic has funky effects for adults, for kids, it has a different result entirely: briefly time traveling to the past. When Dornan's character Dennis finds his daughter is missing after taking Synchronic, Mackie's Steve races against time – and his own illness – to use the drug and locate her before she's gone forever. While most critics were disappointed by Synchronic as an underwhelming entry by genre masters Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, the movie still gets props for its original premise and uniquely dark atmosphere that makes time travel scarier than you could imagine. 5. Midnight Special (2016) In 2016, you could find Michael Shannon in two movies: Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, where his corpse as Zod is desecrated to create the monstrosity Doomsday, and Jeff Nichols' incredible Midnight Special. In Nichols' film, Shannon plays a father on the lam with his precious son (Jaeden Lieberher), who exhibits unbelievable superpowers and is thus hunted by religious fanatics and the federal government. Also starring Joel Edgerton, Kirsten Dunst, and Adam Driver, Midnight Special is a very human look at impossible miracles, making it a highly original sci-fi that feels like an Amblin adventure movie that's all grown up. 4. Alive (2002) Genre enthusiasts should know Ryuhei Kitamura. After the underground success of his zombie action thriller Versus, Kitamura spent the 2000s directing similarly dark action thrillers before finding more mainstream success. In 2002, Kitamura helmed Alive, based on the manga by Tsutomu Takahashi. After a death row inmate (Hideo Sakaki) survives his first punishment, he is forced to take part in a science experiment that pits him in an isolated cell with another prisoner and a violent alien organism. While Kitamura has better movies in his body of work, Alive is an excellent demonstration of a transgressive director going buckwild in confined spaces. 3. Aniara (2018) After climate change ravages Earth, humanity whisks away to Mars in luxury spaceships. But one ship full of colonists veers off course, leaving the colonists to deal with the absolute uncertainty of their future. One character, a nameless employee (Emelie Garbers) becomes overwhelmed when her simulation machine of Earth's verdant past becomes overused by the desperate passengers. Directed by Pella Kågerman and based on Harry Martinson's 1956 poem, Aniara is a movie about collective regret, a film that reveals our eagerness to do anything but actually fix what's wrong. 2. The Vast of Night (2019) The Vast of Night's flavor of vintage sci-fi is so good yet so fresh, you might listen to some Elvis right afterward. Fittingly released into drive-in theaters in May 2020, Andrew Patterson's The Vast of Night takes audiences back to New Mexico, circa 1950s, following a radio deejay (Jake Horowitz) and a switchboard operator (Sierra McCormick) who receive a mysterious signal coming from some- thing in space. A beautiful mixture of War of the Worlds and American Graffiti, The Vast of Night overcomes its low-budget limits to deliver a truly suspenseful experience. 1. Ad Astra (2019) You would think a sci-fi movie starring Brad Pitt would be a bigger deal. But for some reason, audiences are still discovering Ad Astra. From James Gray, the movie stars Pitt as an astronaut who ventures to space to locate his once-presumed dead father (Tommy Lee Jones), himself a heroic astronaut, after his space station near Neptune is deemed to be the source of dangerous power surges which threaten life on Earth. While Ad Astra is a gorgeous story about identity, unfinished business, and the fallacy of hero worship, it also has some truly dazzling set-pieces, including a shoot-out rover chase on the Moon. Ad Astra is an emotionally driven sci-fi classic still waiting to be discovered.
Clippers vs. Nuggets Best bets: Odds, expert picks and predictions, recent stats, trends for December 13
The Tech Whisperer: Unveiling the Future of Innovation In the fast-paced world of technology investments, having an edge is crucial. Joe Albano, an expert with a solid foundation in electrical and software engineering, has positioned himself at the heart of tech innovation and investment strategies. Known for his remarkable insights into emerging trends, Joe has accurately predicted the trajectory of industries like AI for several years. Inside the Tech Cache Joe leads the well-regarded group, Tech Cache, where he provides invaluable insights into the dynamics of tech and growth stocks. Members gain access to Joe’s carefully curated personal portfolio, which is updated with 2-3 investment ideas weekly. They benefit from a comprehensive newsletter, a watchlist of trending stocks, and an automated stock rating system. The platform also allows for real-time discussions through a live chat feature. Strategic Insights and Trends Despite the ever-changing market landscape, Joe maintains a beneficial position in major companies such as AVGO and NVDA. His analysis is independent, driven solely by his keen understanding of market movements. Joe’s approach offers a window into future growth opportunities for investors seeking long-term success. It’s essential to note that all investment decisions are personal and should be based on individual diligence. While Joe openly shares his perspectives, these are formed from his background and experience, not as official advice. His insights are designed to provide knowledge and understanding of the tech market’s potential. Tech Whisperer Insights: The Future of AI and Semiconductors In today’s rapid evolution of technology and investment strategies, gaining a competitive edge is imperative. Joe Albano stands out as a visionary in the tech industry, especially with his accurate predictions on the trajectory of AI and semiconductor sectors. Leveraging his expertise in electrical and software engineering, Joe has become an authority on emerging tech trends. Joe’s platform, Tech Cache, is a haven for those who aim to stay updated on tech and growth stocks. Members gain the advantage of exploring his personal investment strategies, which are thoroughly documented and updated with 2-3 new ideas weekly. The platform enriches members with a detailed newsletter, a well-maintained watchlist of trending stocks, and an automated stock rating system. Additionally, the real-time live chat feature facilitates immediate discussions, promoting engagement and community learning. Engaging with Joe Albano’s insights through Tech Cache has its set of advantages and drawbacks: Pros: – Access to expert analysis based on real-world engineering and market experience. – Consistent updates on cutting-edge investments in industries like AI and semiconductors. – Interactive community with live discussion features to enhance knowledge sharing. Cons: – Exclusive reliance on Joe’s insights without individual research could pose risks. – Not knowing the exact timing of market moves can result in market volatility influencing investments unexpectedly. Joe’s expertise is especially significant in witnessing the burgeoning trends within AI and semiconductor markets. His predictions and insights provide a roadmap to future growth, spotlighting opportunities in companies like AVGO (Broadcom Inc.) and NVDA (NVIDIA Corporation). Joe’s techniques captivate investors eager for long-term success through meticulous analysis of market shifts. – Conduct thorough personal research alongside leveraging expert insight from platforms like Tech Cache. – Regularly update your knowledge base with newsletters and stock lists from credible tech analysts. – Stay engaged with real-time market discussions to recalibrate strategies in response to dynamic market movements. Joe Albano’s perspectives hint at transformational shifts within technology investments, particularly in AI’s expansion into everyday sectors and the increasing demand for semiconductors. By providing valuable insights, Joe allows investors to see beyond present market conditions into potential future opportunities. For more insights into the world of tech investments, strategies, and market dynamics, you can explore more at Seeking Alpha.
NoneUK car production plummets 30.1% in worst November since 1980
A man has been sentenced to death after 35 people died when he drove into a crowd in southern China, in an attack that has prompted China’s leader to call for an end to a recent spate of mass killings. Fan Weiqiu, 62, mowed down a crowd at a sports center in the southern city of Zhuhai last month, venting his anger because he was unhappy with his divorce settlement, Xinhua reported. A court statement on Friday said Fan's “ criminal motive was extremely despicable , the nature of the crime was extremely vile.” The attack was one of several mass killings in China in October and November dubbed “revenge on society crimes.” It spurred China’s leader Xi Jinping to call on all local governments “to strengthen prevention and control of risks at the source, strictly prevent extreme cases from occurring, and to resolve conflicts and disputes in a timely manner,” according to the Xinhua news agency. In November, a man struck people at an elementary school in Hunan province, wounding 30, after suffering investment losses. That same month, a student who failed his exam stabbed and killed eight at a vocational school in the city of Yixing. Experts said there was an overwhelming feeling of being pressured within Chinese society. “On the surface, it seems like there are individual factors, but we see there’s a common link,” Wu Qiang, a former political science professor, told The Associated Press. “This link is, in my personal opinion, every person has a feeling of injustice. They feel deeply that this society is very unfair and they can’t bear it anymore.” China’s Ministry of Justice vowed to curb attacks by looking into disputes over inheritance, housing, land and unpaid wages.
Before doctor was killed, Texas man lied in wait for him at Woodland Hills clinic, prosecutors sayfter a sprawling hacking campaign exposed the communications of an unknown number of Americans, U.S. cybersecurity officials are advising people to use encryption in their communications. To safeguard against the risks highlighted by the campaign, which originated in China, federal cybersecurity authorities released an extensive list of security recommendations for U.S. telecom companies — such as Verizon and AT&T — that were targeted. The advice includes one tip we can all put into practice with our phones: “Ensure that traffic is end-to-end encrypted to the maximum extent possible.” End-to-end encryption, also known as E2EE, means that messages are scrambled so that only the sender and recipient can see them. If anyone else intercepts the message, all they will see is garble that can’t be unscrambled without the key. Law enforcement officials until now resisted this type of encryption because it means the technology companies themselves won’t be able to look at the messages, nor respond to law enforcement requests to turn the data over. Here’s a look at various ways ordinary consumers can use end-to-end encryption: Officials said the hackers targeted the metadata of a large number of customers, including information on the dates, times and recipients of calls and texts. They also managed to see the content from texts from a much smaller number of victims. If you’re an iPhone user, information in text messages that you send to someone else who also has an iPhone will be encrypted end-to-end. Just look for the blue text bubbles, which indicate that they are encrypted iMessages. The same goes for Android users sending texts through Google Messages. There will be a lock next to the timestamp on each message to indicate the encryption is on. But there’s a weakness. When iPhone and Android users text each other, the messages are encrypted only using Rich Communication Services, an industry standard for instant messaging that replaces the older SMS and MMS standards. Apple has noted that RCS messages “aren’t end-to-end encrypted, which means they’re not protected from a third party reading them while they’re sent between devices.” Samsung, which sells Android smartphones, also hinted at the issue in a footnote at the bottom of a press release last month on RCS, saying, “Encryption only available for Android to Android communication.” To avoid getting caught out when trading texts, experts recommend using encrypted messaging apps. Privacy advocates are big fans of Signal, which applies end-to-end encryption to all messages and voice calls. The independent nonprofit group behind the app promises never to sell, rent or lease customer data and made its source code publicly available so that it can be audited by anyone to examine it “for security and correctness.” Signal’s encryption protocol is so reputable that it has been integrated into rival WhatsApp, so users will enjoy the same level of security protection as Signal, which has a much smaller user base. End-to-end encryption is also the default mode for Facebook Messenger, which like WhatsApp is owned by Meta Platforms. Telegram is an app that can be used for one-on-one conversations, group chats and broadcast “channels” but contrary to popular perception, it doesn’t turn on end-to-end encryption by default. Users have to switch on the option. And it doesn’t work with group chats. Cybersecurity experts warned people against using Telegram for private communications and pointed out that only its opt-in ‘secret chat’ feature is encrypted from end-to-end. The app also has a reputation for being a haven for scammers and criminal activity, highlighted by founder and CEO Pavel Durov’s arrest in France. Instead of using your phone to make calls through a wireless cellular network, you can make voice calls with Signal and WhatsApp. Both apps encrypt calls with the same technology that they use to encrypt messages. There are other options. If you have an iPhone you can use Facetime for calls, while Android owners can use the Google Fi service, which are both end-to-end encrypted. The only catch with all these options is that, as with using the chat services to send messages, the person on the other end will also have to have the app installed. WhatsApp and Signal users can customize their privacy preferences in the settings, including hiding an IP address during calls to prevent your general location from being guessed. Get local news delivered to your inbox!